Transforming policing in Ghana through technology: a focus on police operations in the Greater Accra region

Abstract

Integrating technology into policing has the potential to greatly improve the effectiveness, transparency, and community participation of law enforcement agencies. This study examines the profound influence of technology on the Ghana Police Service, with a specific emphasis on the Greater Accra Region. The main aim of this research is to examine how technological advancements might enhance police results and tackle existing difficulties in the context of law enforcement in Ghana. The study adopts a qualitative research approach and collects data from police officers and community members through the use of semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. The investigation involved the participation of a combined total of twenty-six police officials from the Tema and Accra Regional Headquarters, as well as twenty-two community members. The data gathering procedure sought to gather a wide range of viewpoints on the present condition of technology in law enforcement, its advantages, difficulties, and prospects for future advancement. The results demonstrate that the utilisation of technology, such as mobile data terminals and social media platforms, can greatly improve the effectiveness of police operations, promote community involvement, and increase transparency. Nevertheless, the presence of obstacles such as insufficient infrastructure, cultural opposition, and the necessity for extensive training were also acknowledged. The research enhances the current knowledge by presenting empirical evidence on the benefits and constraints of technology in law enforcement, particularly in the setting of Ghana. This study emphasises the significance of making strategic investments in technology infrastructure and training, as well as the necessity of establishing legal frameworks to tackle ethical and privacy concerns. Additionally, it proposes that future studies should prioritise examining the enduring viability of technological advancements in law enforcement and investigating their effects in various geographical areas. The study suggests that politicians and law enforcement organisations should promote the deployment of technology in a way that is successful and build public trust in the Ghana Police Service.

Keywords: {'name': 'Law Enforcement Technology'}, {'name': 'Ghana Police Service'}, {'name': 'Policiing'}, {'name': 'Technology Adoption Barriers'}, {'name': 'Community Engagement'}

Authors & affiliations

Ogochukwu Nweke
Affiliation not supplied

Smita Francis
Affiliation not supplied

Deposited references

Supplied references, not a list of publications citing this article.

Acheampong, R. (2024, January 28). Fighting corruption in Ghana police: A plan for trustworthy policing. Modern Ghana. https://www.modernghana.com/news/1288709/fighting-corruption-in-ghana-police-a-plan-for.html

Acquah, P. A. (2023). Smart reforms in the Ghana Police Service and how they can enhance police performance to improve accountability and transparency. Smart Policing in Ghana. https://www.academia.edu/109026673/smart_reforms_in_the_ghana_police_service_and_how_they_can_enhance_police_performance_to_improve_accountability_and_transparency

DOI: 10.1007/s43576-022-00078-7

Arthur-Mensah, G. (2023, September 4). Ghana records GH¢49.5m losses through cyber fraud in first half of 2023. Ghana News Agency. https://gna.org.gh/2023/09/ghana-records-gh%C2%A249-5m-losses-through-cyber-fraud-in-first-half-of-2023/

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-70538-1_2

Beary, R. (2018, November 7). Strengthening the foundation: How new trends in training can improve officers’ safety and effectiveness. Police Chief Magazine. https://www.policechiefmagazine.org/strengthening-the-foundation-new-trends-training/

DOI: 10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-89297-9_11

Bureau of Public Safety. (2022, April 10). Ghana public safety and crime report January-December 2021.

Butler, P., & Saunders, C. (2017, July 4). Digitisation to transform the UK’s criminal justice system. CGI. https://www.cgi.com/uk/en-gb/news/digitisation-to-transform-the-UK-criminal-justice-system-report-from-cgi-and-the-police-foundation

Chapman, B. (2019, January). Body-worn cameras: What the evidence tells us. NIJ Journal, 280. https://www.nij.gov/journals/280/Pages/body-worn-cameras-what-evidence-tells-us.aspx

Cubukcu, S., Tekin, E., Sahin, N., & Topalli, V. (2021, November 16). The concrete effects of body cameras on police accountability. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/the-concrete-effects-of-body-cameras-on-police-accountability-171460

DOI: 10.1007/s43681-021-00105-9

Forst, B. (2008, February 12). Improving police effectiveness and transparency: National information needs on law enforcement. Bureau of Justice Statistics. https://bjs.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh236/files/media/document/forst.pdf

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-56765-1_13

Frilander, M., Lundine, J., Kutalek, D., & Likaka, L. (2022). New technologies for improving old public security challenges in Nairobi. Igarape Institute.

Ghana Police Service. (n.d.). Regional commands. https://police.gov.gh/en/index.php/regional-commanders-responsibilities/

Ghana Statistical Services. (2021). Ghana 2021 population and housing census. General Report Volume 3A.

DOI: 10.1057/s41284-021-00325-y

DOI: 10.1108/SC-04-2022-0015

Hollywood, J. S., Vermeer, M. J. D., Woods, D., Goodison, S. E., & Jackson, B. A. (2018). Using social media and social network analysis in law enforcement. NIJ Identifying the Highest Priority Criminal Justice Needs.

Jedidiah, A. K., Prince, O., & Gershon, D. (2020). Security challenges in Ghana the imperatives of states security agencies: A study of the Ghana Police Service. Global Journal of Human-Social Science: F Political Science, 20(2).

DOI: 10.1093/police/pau015

Lee, J., Hooke, B., Quinn, C., Sparks, M., Polega, M., Claycomb, M., Nelson, T., & Miller, T. (2022). The biggest technology challenges facing police leaders. Police1. https://www.police1.com/chiefs-sheriffs/articles/the-biggest-technology-challenges-facing-police-leaders-7QFimpOSEgJZRQyX/

Luszczynski, P. (2022, April 4). The importance of police transparency. Sound Thinking. https://www.soundthinking.com/blog/the-importance-of-police-transparency/

DOI: 10.3390/socsci10060234

Ofori-Atta, N. K. (2021, March 21). Digital policing: The future of Ghana Police Service. GhanaWeb. https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/features/Digital-policing-The-future-of-Ghana-Police-Service-1210717

DOI: 10.7249/RR233

DOI: 10.1007/s11069-023-05926-x

Shults, J. F. (2021, October 18). How technology can improve police-community relationships. Police1. https://www.police1.com/chiefs-sheriffs/articles/how-technology-can-improve-police-community-relationships-Brn6XtuGJKYGglpC/

Sousa, W. H., Miethe, T. D., & Sakiyama, M. (2015). Body worn cameras on police: Results from a national survey of public attitudes. UNLV Center for Crime and Justice Policy, 1-8.

Turner Lee, N., & Chin-Rothmann, C. (2022, April 12). Police surveillance and facial recognition: Why data privacy is imperative for communities of color. Brookings. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/police-surveillance-and-facial-recognition-why-data-privacy-is-an-imperative-for-communities-of-color/

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-22002-0_1

World Bank. (2019). Ghana digital economy diagnostic. https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/412821598381054828-0090022020/original/GhanaDE4ALOWRes.pdf